Roller bar security device and fence

ABSTRACT

A roller bar security device includes a longitudinally extending tubular member having first and second ends and a plurality of rigid overlapping outwardly extending blades each of which has a generally triangular shape with a base mounted on the tubular member and a sharp point at its apex. The blades are fixed to and extend around and along the tubular member with the apexes of alternate longitudinally spaced blades facing in generally opposite directions. A mounting bracket and bearing are provided for rotatably mounting the tubular member and blades on top of a wall or the like so that the sharp points and edges will deter a potential intruder from climbing over the security device.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a roller bar security device and securityfence and more particularly to a roller bar security device for use witha physical barrier for keeping intruders out of an enclosed area and orincarcerated individuals within an area.

BACKGROUND FOR THE INVENTION

Devices for preventing intruders from climbing over a wall or fence arewell known. For example, it is well known to provide an extension fromthe top fence rail which is angled outwardly and/or inwardly from thefence from which climbing is to be deterred. In such fences, barb wireis strung in parallel runs and attached to angled brackets which extendupwardly from the fence post. Razor wire is commonly used at the top ofwalls and fences as a perimeter access deterrent. However, barb wire andrazor wire both suffer from serious short comings. For example, barbwire may need to be tensioned periodically to prevent sagging andsuffers ineffectiveness by providing a more or less rigid handle or leghold for a determined climber. Further, barb wire and razor wire arerelatively easy to cut through with a pair of wire cutters. In addition,barb wire and razor wire can often be thwarted by laying a thickblanket, mattress or heavy cloth over the wire to thereby enable anindividual to cross over the barrier. A still further short coming ofsuch barriers resides in their unsightly or prison like appearance whichdenigrates the property that it protects.

Another approach to a climb inhibiting rail is disclosed in a U.S.patent of Burch U.S. Pat. No. 4,270,736. As disclosed therein, a climbinhibiting structure is attached to the top of a fence. The structureincludes a longitudinally extending bar like bearing member that ismounted in parallel displaced relationship with the top of the fence. Aseries of relatively short turn cylinders are rotatably mounted end toend about the bearing member and a plurality of spike-like membersextend radially outwardly from the surface of each rotatable member. Thespike like member are in spaced relationship precluding purchase by ananimals leg or pull. The spines are preferably yieldable so as tosubstantially minimize injury to a climber, with rotation of the spinecarrying member precluding a purchase by means of which the climbermight paw themselves up and over the fence.

It is now believed that there is a need and relatively large commercialmarket for a roller bar security device and fence in accordance with thepresent invention. It is believed that there is a demand for an improveddeterrent which will stop a more determined climber from scaling thestructure to obtain access to an enclosed compound. Such means have beenexacerbated by terrorists and other criminal raids on military anddiplomatic compounds and on the homes of wealthy and politically activefamilies.

Advantageously, a roller bar security device and fence in accordancewith the present invention will provide a more secure barrier or fenceclimbing inhibition means to deter an intruder from gaining access to asecured area. Further, the roller bar security device and fence inaccordance with the present invention are more difficult to circumventthan prior art devices and may be readily added by attachment toexisting walls and fences. Further, such security devices and fences areless aesthetically detracting than prior art devices, are relativelyeasy to install and relatively free of maintenance. Further, thesecurity devices and fences are equally applicable to prison grounds toprevent prisoners from escaping. These and other advantages will beapparent from the following disclosure.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In essence a roller bar security device in accordance with the presentinvention includes a longitudinally extending member such as a steeltube, bar or rod and a plurality of overlapping, outwardly projectingrelatively rigid blades of metal, polycarbonate or other suitablematerial. The relatively rigid blades are fixed to and extend along thelongitudinally extending member. Mounting means such as a metal plate orsaddle bracket include a bearing assembly for rotatably mounting thelongitudinally extending member on top of a physical barrier such as awall or fence so that the rotatable outwardly projecting blades deter anindividual from passing over the security device.

A preferred embodiment of the invention includes a longitudinallyextending tubular member having first and second ends and a plurality ofrelatively rigid overlapping outwardly projecting blades each of whichhas a base and an apex. The blades are fixed to and extend along andaround the tubular member with the apexes of alternate longitudinallyspaced blades facing in opposite directions as for example generallytoward opposite ends of the longitudinally extending tubular member.Mounting means such as a metal plate or bracket include a bearingassembly for rotatably mounting the tubular member and blades on top ofa physical barrier such as a wall. The rotatable blades preferablyinclude sharp points and edges and are spaced to prevent an individualfrom reaching through the blades to the longitudinally extending member.

An improved security fence is also contemplated by the presentinvention. The security fence comprises a physical barrier such as amasonry wall having a top, a foundation to deter an individual fromdigging under the wall and a height of at least about eight feet. Aroller bar security device is rotatably mounted on top of the physicalbarrier or wall. This roller bar security device includes alongitudinally extending tubular steel member having first and secondends and a plurality of overlapping outwardly projecting blades each ofwhich has a base fixed to the steel member and an apex with a sharppoint extending outwardly therefrom. In one embodiment of the inventionthere are four longitudinally extending rows of blades disposed aroundthe tubular member with the apexes of alternate longitudinally spacedblades generally facing opposite ends of the tubular member. Mountingmeans including bearing means for rotatably mounting the tubular memberson the top of the physical barrier are also provided so that therotatable interlaced or interwoven blades deter individuals from passingover the security fence.

The invention will now be described in connection with the drawingswherein like reference numerals have been used to designate likeelements. The drawings also illustrate the best mode for carrying outthe invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view which illustrates a roller bar securitydevice in accordance with the first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an end view of the roller bearing security device shown inFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the roller bar security device shown in FIGS. 1and 2;

FIG. 4 is a top or plane view of the roller bar security device shown inFIGS. 1-3;

FIG. 5 is a side view of a mounting assembly as used in the presentinvention;

FIG. 6 is an end view of the mounting assembly shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the mounting assembly shown in FIGS. 5and 6;

FIG. 8 is a side view of a different mounting assembly as used in afurther embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 9 is an end view of the mounting assembly shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the mounting assembly shown in FIGS. 8and 9; and

FIG. 11 is a side view of a security fence in accordance with a furtherembodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

As illustrated, a roller bar security device 12 includes a galvanizedsteal rod 14 having a thickness of for example 20 mm and a mild stealpipe or longitudinally extending tubular member 16 of for example about2.5 mm thickness and two meters long which passes over the rod 14 and isseparated therefrom by a pair of Vesconite® bushings 18. These bushings18 may be made of plastic, rubber or other suitable material whichallows the tubular member 16 to turn freely without the need for alubricant.

The device 12 also includes a plurality of overlapping outwardlyprojecting blades 22 and 24 which are preferably electro galvanized andyellow passivated to prevent rust. The blades 22 and 24 include an apex23 and base 25 and define a generally triangular shape with a preferredthickness of about 2 mm. In a preferred embodiment, the apexes define asharp point and the edges between the apex 23 and base 25 may besharpened as a further deterrent to potential intruders. The blades 25may be fixed to the longitudinally extending member 16 by rivets such as6.4 mm diameter steal pop rivets, welding or other suitable means. In apreferred embodiment of the invention each of the blades 22 and 24 forman acute angle of between about 15° and 75° and more preferably about35° to 40° with the tubular members.

Also, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, the longitudinallyextending members are approximately two meters long and are supported atopposite ends by supporting brackets 26 and 27. As shown in FIG. 1, thebrackets 26 and 27 are fixed to the saddle mounts 28 and held in placeby a securing nut and bolt assembly 29 or other suitable means as willbe well understood by persons of ordinary skill in the art. Acylindrical steel bearing 30 is fixed to each of the brackets 26 and 27for receiving an end of the rod 14 therein. Screw locks 31 fix the rod14 in place.

One means for rotatably mounting the longitudinally extending member 16is shown more clearly in FIGS. 5-7 which show a wall top mounting plate32 which may have a thickness of about 6 mm and includes a plurality ofholes 33 drilled therein. Such holes may for example have a diameter ofabout 10 mm for rawl bolts (not shown) to fasten the plates 32 to thetop of the wall. As illustrated, each of the brackets 27 and cylindricalsteel bushing 30 includes a plurality of overlapping outwardlyprojecting blades 35 which are constructed and arranged to prevent ahuman hand from penetrating the blades. The blades 35 also include sharppointed apexes 36 and sharp edges.

A saddle type mounting assembly for a top of a wall is shown moreclearly in FIGS. 8-10 wherein the bracket 27 is fixed to a saddle mount28 and is held to the wall by a nut and bolt assembly 29.

A further embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 11 whereina plurality of security devices 2 are fixed to the top of a physicalbarrier such as a masonry wall 40. The masonry wall 40 has a height ofabout eight feet or more and is built on a concrete foundation 42 whichpreferably extends below ground level and is of sufficient size to detera potential intruder from digging under it.

While the invention has been described in connection with its preferredembodiments, it should be recognized that changes and modifications maybe made therein without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

1. A roller bar security device comprising a longitudinally extendingmember and a plurality of overlapping outwardly projecting blades fixedto and extending along and around said member, mounting means includingbearing means for rotatably mounting said member on top of a physicalbarricade whereby said overlapping outwardly projecting blades deter anintruder from passing over the security device.
 2. A roller bar securitydevice according to claim 1 in which each of said blades includes asharp point at an outer end thereof.
 3. A roller bar security deviceaccording to claim 2 in which each of said blades includes a sharp edge.4. A roller bar security device according to claim 2 in which each ofsaid blades includes a generally triangular shape with two sharp edges.5. A roller bar security device comprising a longitudinally extendingtubular member having first and second ends and a plurality ofoverlapping outwardly projecting blades each of which has a base and anapex, said blades fixed to and extending along and around said tubularmember with the apexes of alternate longitudinally spaced blades facingin generally opposite directions, mounting means including bearing meansfor rotatably mounting said tubular member on top of a physicalbarricade whereby said overlapping outwardly projecting blades deter anindividual from passing over the security device.
 6. A roller barsecurity device according to claim 5 in which the apexes of saidlongitudinally spaced blades point generally to the opposite ends ofsaid tubular member.
 7. A roller bar security device according to claim6 in which each of said blades includes a sharp point at an outer endthereof.
 8. A roller bar security device according to claim 7 in whicheach of said blades includes a sharp edge.
 9. A roller bar securitydevice according to claim 8 in which each of said blades includes agenerally triangular shape.
 10. A roller bar security device accordingto claim 9 in which said tubular member is steel.
 11. A roller barsecurity device according to claim 10 in which said tubular member has awall thickness of about 2 mm and is coated with a primer to prevent rustand in which four rows of blades are made of metal are riveted to saidtubular member and are galvanized to prevent rusting.
 12. A roller barsecurity device according to claim 11 in which said blades have athickness of about 2 mm.
 13. A security fence comprising a physicalbarrier having a top and extending upwardly from the ground by at leastabout eight feet and a roller bar security device fixed to said top ofsaid physical barrier, said roller bar security device comprising alongitudinally extending member having first and second ends and aplurality of overlapping outwardly projecting blades each of which has abase and a apex, said blades fixed to and extending along and aroundsaid longitudinally extending members with the apexes of alternatelongitudinally spaced blades facing in generally opposite directions,mounting means including bearing means for rotatably mounting saidtubular members on said top of said physical barrier whereby saidrotatable overlapping outwardly projecting blades deter an individualfrom passing over the security fence.
 14. A security fence according toclaim 13 in which said mounting means includes a flat mounting plate andbolts for fixing said plate to said top of said physical barrier and inwhich said mounting means includes a plurality of outwardly projectingoverlapping blades fixed thereto and positioned to prevent an individualfrom crossing over the security fence.
 15. A security fence according toclaim 13 in which said mounting means includes a saddle shaped mountingbracket and a plurality of outwardly projecting overlapping blades fixedto said mounting means and positioned to prevent an individuals hand orarm from reaching said bracket.
 16. A security fence according to claim13 which includes a plurality of roller bar security devices disposed onsaid top of said physical barrier and bearing means at each end of saidtubular member.
 17. A security fence according to claim 13 in which saidblades are disposed at an angle of between about 15° to 75° with respectto said longitudinally extending members.
 18. A security fence accordingto claim 17 in which said blades are disposed at an angle of about 30°with respect to said longitudinally extending member.
 19. A securityfence according to claim 18 in which said bearing means are low frictionlong life bearings that do not require lubrication.